Cledford Primary & Nursery Academy
Attendance & Punctuality
One of the most important things affecting a child's progress at school is regular attendance. For a child to gain most benefit from education, it is vital that parents work in partnership with the school to encourage good attendance and punctuality.
Absence from school
The 2013 regulation amendments make clear that a headteacher may NOT grant any leave of absence (holiday) during term time unless there are 'exceptional circumstances'. The amendments give parents NO entitlement to take their child out of school for a holiday in term time.
If you need to request a leave of absence for your child/ren, please complete the form below - you may wish to read our policy in conjunction with this. Completion of the leave of absence form does NOT guarantee the absence will be authorised.
Unauthorised absence
Term time holiday: school expects that parents take all holidays during the published school holiday dates. Holidays during term time will not be authorised.
Authorised absence
Illness: if a child is unable to attend school due to illness, it is expected that parents/carers will provide an explanation on the first day the absence occurs. School should be informed by 9:20am either by telephone, leaving a voice message or personally calling into the school office. School should be kept updated of any on-going absence on a daily basis.
Special circumstance: very occasionally there is a situation that prevents a child from attending school (e.g. bereavement of close family member). The register will be marked with an authorised absence code in this instance.
Medical appointment: if your child has a medical appointment, please contact the school to advise the time of the appointment and expected time to return to school. Please bring the appointment letter/card so this may be noted on the pupil's record.
Punctuality/lateness
The school gates open at 8:40am.
All children should arrive punctually at this time.
If your child arrives to school after these times, they must be accompanied by an adult to the school office to be signed in.
Pupils who are consistently late are disrupting not only their own education but also that of other children in their class. Where persistent lateness gives cause for concern, further action may be taken. Cheshire East Council can issue a fixed penalty notice if a child is late, after the registers close, for 10 sessions or more over two consecutive half terms.
Every second counts. 5 minutes late each day equates to three whole days of lost education each year.
Fixed penalty notices
Parents/carers should be aware that 10 or more unauthorised late marks or absences over a ten week period may lead to a fixed penalty notice from Cheshire East.
The fixed penalty notice is currently £80 per parent per pupil payable within 21 days. Failure to pay within this time period results in the penalty being increased to £160 per parent per pupil. If this further penalty is not paid within the next 7 days (i.e. 28 days from the issue of the original penalty) this will lead to court action against parents/carers by the local authority.
For more information and documentation please visit the School Policies webpage